To play the sniper class effectively you will need the following hardware and software

Pentium Two class computer or better, I use a PII 350 with Viper 550 3D card.

56K modem or better. ISDN is best, I play on a dual ISDN line at work during lunch.

Your connection speed means everything when playing the sniper. basically having a slow connection means that you can forget it. This has kind of led to only those who have access to fast connections play as snipers. This includes business people, rich people, and students.

The latest version of Half-life. At time of writing this is up to version 1010.

Some servers wont connect you if your on a old version. also the new updates include a lot of net tweaks will will help you speed up as a sniper.

A CLEAN windows environment

You have to squeeze as much power out of your machine as possible. So unload those little icons on the bottom right corner of your "Start" bar. Close down all other programs. press CTRL + ALT + DEL and bring up the running programs box:

Close down anything that is not absolutely necessary. For example I've got here this page open in my editor. A web page open which should be closed. Notify should be closed, etc etc. Take out any rubbish from your start-up folder, such as FastFind or Office Fast Start.

A CLEAN COMPUTER

Defrag your harddrive. Leave it as much freespace as possible. Try this trick if you have 64 MB of RAM:

  1. FIRST defrag your harddrive.

  2. Set your Swap file to be a perminatly double your RAM, i.e. 128MB.

  3. OK and restart.

How to do this:

  • SCANDISK AND DEFRAG YOUR HARDDRIVE!!
    • TWICE!! 
    • I shit you not, do not be mucking around with this setting if your not fully "clean"
  • Next BACK UP YOUR DATA!
    • TWICE!!
    • I will take no responsibility if you damage your harddrive in any way. 
    • Although I will field any questions I can about this subject.
    • MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ENOUGH HARDDRIVE SPACE!
  • Ok here's how to do it (Windows 95 / 98) :
    • Goto START > SETTINGS > CONTROL PANEL > SYSTEM > PERFORMANCE
    • Click VIRTUAL MEMORY
    • Select CHOSE YOUR OWN SETTINGS
    • Set it to MAX 128 MIN 128
    • Click OK
    • Shut down and restart
    • If nothing happens: PANIC!
    • Only joking.  In fact never panic thats the best advice.  Just email with the problem (from another computer of course!).

Once completed you should have better reaction speeds in physics calculation.  This is not the same as 3D so there will be some benefit to you people with 3D cards (like me).   The only drawback on this method is that you have to defrag your hardrive much more.  But then well ALL should do that more SHOULDN'T we!

This should allow windows to grab a clean chunk of unfragged swapfile space and keep it for itself and TFC. This is the best way of helping your game other than upgrading your modem.

A GOOD ISP

You know, a good one for games. NOT AOL! or CompuServe!

FINALLY

A good mouse. Shop around and get a good one. I use the new Microsoft InteliWhellmouse at around £40.

That's about it for hardware and software configuration. Now onto the Half-life configuration itself.

 

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